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American Christmas Customs:Saint Nicholas arrives on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to children. Santa Claus appears in towns and cities across the country beginning the first Sunday in Advent right up until Christmas Eve. Children sit down on his lap and tell him the gifts they would like to receive.
It is very popular to have photographs taken with Santa Claus. Children may also write letters to Santa indicating if they have been good or bad and what gifts they would like to receive. On Saint Nicholas Eve in some parts of the country children hang out stockings by the fire to be filled with gifts.